The first meeting of the 2015-16 point to point season at
The Higham racecourse, for the North Norfolk Harriers Point to point.
Fresh ground greeted a well attended meeting, on a warm but
somewhat overcast Sunday Afternoon. One of four point to point meetings running
throughout the country.
Six races were booked for the day, starting with a
well declared maiden race that had to be split into two divisions
Division one was taken at a good pace, runners
who had not been out so far this season struggled in the ground that was
described by some, as being 'perfect' point to point racing ground. But it was the
Michael Kehoe trained Fort Gabriel, who
broke his maiden duck beating Happy ring house, under the guidance of young
pilot Nick Meake.
The
five year old French bred ex hurdler, seemed to relish the change in discipline to knock up the first win of the season for the jockey, and only his second
win of his career. The horse seemed to be having a good blow after the race and
would defiantly be coming on from his outing. But the chestnut gelding that
would not look out of place in a line up of hurdlers certainly would not want
the ground any deeper than good. ‘I schooled him the other day in soft ground,
and he didn’t really perform to well, so he would certainly be the top of the
ground horse.'
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| Fort Gabriel
The second division, again well subscribed, went to the
Pauline Harkin trained Don’t Budge Me.
The race being run in a quicker time than that of the first division. The seven
year old Irish hurdler, running his best to date in a two mile hurdle at
Rosscommon, beat second placed Nandini with top point to point jockey Sam
Davies-Thomas on board by a couple of lengths.
Don't Budge Me
Harry
Wallace the jockey mentioned ‘I’ve ridden a fair bit under rules but this is my
first point to point winner. I’m delighted and it’s all credit to the team here
at Higham for supplying us with perfect ground.
No more divisions throughout the card from now on.
The next
race being a Novice rider’s race, with fourteen runners going to post. One of
the riders was the well publicized Victoria Pendleton. Who only this week was
given her Foxhunters mount at the festival, Pasha Du Polder.
Her mount in in this race Minella Theatre,
already a runner for the pair this season took the field on for most of the
trip. But it was around the back straight last time out that the thirteen year old Alan Hill charge dropped
off the pace allowing the race to continue.
Done a Runner, trained by Dale Peters and ridden by Jack Andrews
had done enough to beat Susquehanna River.
The
ten year old by Alderbrook on his first run of the season did well for the
young rider, who had to rush his presentation proceeding to get to his ride in
the next, and stayed well. One to be considered if out next time.
Done a Runner
The conditions race saw sixteen go to post, and looked on
paper to be a strong contest.
Broken Eagle
already notching up a win so far in the season,the eight year old by Broken
Vow looking an all over nice chasing sort for the stables of Alan Hill. Jumping for fun and looked very fit when taking the field on in the very quick time of
5 m 58sec, the fastest I’ve seen all season in a point race.
‘He’ll now be
looked at open races and possibly Hunter chases but we’ll have to see, but has
done well for us considering he only cost us 2’500gns at the sales’ mentioned
the horses’ jockey and trainers son Joe Hill. The second and third horses Decade
Player and Alforone, would have to be looked at next time out with regards to
the form of the winner.
 
Broken Eagle
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| Harbour Court
Both trainer and jockey looked to be on a roll as in the
next, the men’s open. Harbour court who took a walk over two weeks before at
Ampton took on six other opponents.
Alan hill said’ the ground was perfect for
him and he was so well.’ And looked it as he led the field coming round the
bend for the final time, looking a certainty to take the race. Jo hill looked
alarmingly down and immediately pulled the horse up and dismounted. Alas a sad
end to a talented contender, a horse at the beginning of the Season Joe Hill
was excited about, and will be very much missed by the yard and the pointing
followers for sure.
This
left though, Brackloon High and
Andrew Barlow to take the race from Patsy Finnegan for the Michael Kehoe yard,
a double for the afternoon. And first for the veteran trainer who was
delighted.
Brackloon High
This was the second year running for the jockey that he has won this particular race and mentioned that he would be possibly back for the
treble next season. ‘ You knew if you are riding one of Michael’s horse they
would be fit and give a good account of themselves, so was ever hopeful. But it
was sad to see a good horse like Harbour Court pull up like that.’
The penultimate race of the afternoon, the ladies open saw
again Victoria Peddleton look for her maiden victory. According to Sarah, again
trained by the Hill’s who ran only seven days previous in Devon, when fourth,
looked a keen possibility that Higham would remain on the shelve of ‘special
places’ for the ex Olympian cyclist.
The bookmakers did not reflect this though
making her mount an outsider for the seven horse event.
According to Sarah
Start Royal ridden
by top lady point to point jockey Gina Andrews bought home the Alan Hill trained twelve year
old to beat It was me and Claire Williamson. ‘This is not an easy horse to ride
at home,’ said the trainer. ‘ you have to be very quite on him and it takes
some rider to get on with him, but a great vintage horse , given a great
vintage ride by the jockey and perfect ground was good to see, Joe schooled him
the other day and he flew, so we knew he was well in himself.’ Maybe a bitter
pill to swallow for the Hill’s but did so they did with great care and
professionalism.
 
Start Royal
Burtredgipandgump
The final race of the day, the Subaru Restricted race was
won by the Wright families Burtredgipandgimp.
The seven year old by Blueprint, bought at Doncaster sales, beat Condorman
by six lengths.
Jockey Archie Wright said, ‘we are so happy with that, we came
here today to find out more about him, and he has certainly answered questions.
We’ve worked hard on his jumping at home, and all the work has certainly paid
off.’ One to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
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